Rishank124 at 10:27, 6 May 2026

2026-05-06T10:27:43Z

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{{Use dmy dates|date=February 2025}}
{{Use Indian English|date=February 2025}}
{{Infobox law enforcement agency
| agencyname = District Reserve Guard
| nativename =
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| formed = 2008
| preceding1 =
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| employees = Approximately 3,500 (as of 2021)
| budget =
| legalpersonality = [[Government agency|Governmental agency]]
| legaljuris = [[Chhattisgarh]], India
| country = India
| countryabbr =
| federal = No
| divname =
| subdivname = [[Chhattisgarh]]
| map =
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| governingbody = [[Chhattisgarh Police]]
| headquarters = [[Chhattisgarh]], India
| sworntype = Officer
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| parentagency = {{flagicon image||23px}} [[Chhattisgarh Police]]
| child1agency =
| unittype = Specialized Unit
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| vehicle1type =
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| programme1 =
| activitytype = [[Counterinsurgency|Counter-Insurgency]]
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}}

The '''District Reserve Guard''' ('''DRG'''), also known as the '''District Reserve Group''', is a specialized [[police unit]] formed in 2008 in the Indian state of [[Chhattisgarh]] to address [[left-wing extremism]], particularly the [[Maoist insurgency]]. The unit was established as a response to the growing influence and violence of [[Maoism|Maoist]] groups, which have historically taken advantage of the socio-economic conditions of local tribal populations.<ref name=c>{{cite news |last1=Singh Lalotra |first1=Col Satish |title=District Reserve Guard: A Sangfroid Riposte To Maoists |url=https://risingkashmir.com/district-reserve-guard-a-sangfroid-riposte-to-maoists/ |publisher=[[Rising Kashmir]] |date=8 May 2023}}</ref> The DRG is often referred to as the "son of the soil" due to its composition of local recruits.<ref name=A>{{cite news |last1=M R |first1=Senjo |title=Dantewada attack: Tragic end for 5 ex-Maoists who sought fresh start as cops |url=https://m.rediff.com/news/report/dantewada-attack-tragic-end-for-5-former-maoists-who-chose-a-new-path/20230427.htm |work=[[Rediff.com]] |date=27 April 2023}}</ref> As of 2021, the DRG consists of approximately 3,500 personnel.<ref name=d/>

The DRG played a key role in neutralising [[Nambala Keshava Rao]], who was then the General Secretary of the CPI (Maoist).<ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-05-22 |title=Specialised force that gunned down Basava Raju, what is Chhattisgarh's DRG? |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/india/basava-raju-gunned-down-chhattisgarh-drd-10020044/ |access-date=2025-06-01 |website=The Indian Express |language=en}}</ref>

== History ==
The unit was initially set up in the [[Kanker district|Kanker]] and [[Narayanpur district|Narayanpur]] districts in 2008. In 2013, the force was expanded to the [[Bijapur district, Chhattisgarh|Bijapur]] and [[Bastar district|Bastar]] districts, followed by deployments in [[Sukma]] and [[Kondagaon]] in 2014, and in [[Dantewada]] in 2015.<ref name=A/> The DRG was created to utilize local knowledge for effective counter-insurgency efforts.{{citation needed|date=February 2025}}

The DRG has been involved in various operations targeting Maoist networks. In 2015, it conducted 644 anti-Naxal operations, both independently and with other state and paramilitary forces, resulting in the deaths of 46 Maoist combatants.<ref name=B/> By mid-2018, 144 operations conducted by the DRG led to 25 Maoist fatalities without casualties among security forces.<ref name=B>{{cite news |title=District Reserve Group adds impetus to anti-Naxal operations in Chhattisgarh |url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/defence/district-reserve-group-adds-impetus-to-anti-naxal-operations-in-chhattisgarh/articleshow/50865986.cms |publisher=[[The Economic Times]] |date=13 July 2018}}</ref>

As of 2018, the DRG's deployment included 482 personnel in [[Sukma]], one of the most heavily affected districts, and 312 in the adjacent [[Bijapur district, Chhattisgarh|Bijapur district]].<ref name=B/>

The [[2023 Dantewada bombing]], a Maoist attack in [[Dantewada district]] on 26 April, killed 10 DRG personnel and a civilian driver. Five of the ten DRG personnel killed in the attack were former Maoists.<ref>{{cite news |title=5 of 10 cops killed in Chhattisgarh Maoist attack were once active as Naxals |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/chhattisgarh-maoist-attack-cops-killed-were-once-active-naxals-2365764-2023-04-28 |publisher=[[India Today]] |date=28 April 2023}}</ref> It was the first major casualties for the DRG in the Bastar region.<ref>{{cite news |last1=B Verma |first1=Seema |title=DRG a vital cog in counter-insurgency operations in Chhattisgarh |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Delhi/drg-a-vital-cog-in-counter-insurgency-operations-in-chhattisgarh/article66818064.ece |work=[[The Hindu]] |date=6 May 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=The price of sacrifice: After Maoist attack, kin left to pick up pieces in Chhattisgarh's Bastar |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/education/news/seeking-a-global-future-focused-education-singapores-transnational-programs-offer-top-ranked-universities-degrees-tailored-for-indian-students/articleshow/113126928.cms |work=[[The Times of India]] |date=27 April 2023}}</ref>

In September 2023, a joint operation by the District Reserve Guard and the [[Central Reserve Police Force]] killed nine Maoists during an encounter in the Dantewada district.<ref>{{cite news |title=Chhattisgarh: Nine maoists killed in Dantewada gunfight; joint operation of DRG, CRPF underway |url=https://www.livemint.com/news/india/chattisgarh-nine-maoists-killed-in-dantewada-gunfight-joint-operation-of-drg-crpf-underway-11725350461743.html |publisher=[[Livemint]] |date=3 September 2024}}</ref> In October 2023, security forces, including the DRG and [[Special Task Force (India)|Special Task Force]], killed 28 Maoists in an operation in Dantewada's Abujhmad region following intelligence reports.<ref>{{cite news |last1=S Naidu |first1=Jayprakash |title=28 Maoists shot dead by security forces in forests of Chhattisgarh |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/india/maoists-killed-in-abujhmad-encounter-ak47-slr-weapons-recovered-9603649/ |publisher=[[Indian Express]] |date=5 October 2024}}</ref>

On 6 January 2025, a [[2025 Bijapur Naxal attack|Naxalite attack in Bijapur, Chhattisgarh]], killed nine people, including eight police personnel of District Reserve Guard and a civilian driver, using an [[Improvised explosive device|IED]] weighing 60–70 kg.<ref>{{cite news |title=Naxals blow up security personnel vehicle in Chhattisgarh, 9 killed |url=https://www.cnbctv18.com/india/chhattisgarh-bijapur-naxals-ied-attack-on-police-personnel-security-vehicle-casualties-19535201.htm |publisher=[[CNBC TV18]] |date=6 January 2025}}</ref>
It was the largest attack on security forces in the state in two years.<ref>{{cite news |title=9 killed after Naxals blow up security vehicle with IED in Chhattisgarh's Bijapur |url=https://www.financialexpress.com/india-news/9-including-8-chhattisgarh-cops-killed-after-naxals-blow-up-suv-with-ied-in-bijapur/3708531/ |publisher=[[The Financial Express (India)|The Financial Express]] |date=6 January 2025}}</ref>

On 21 May 2025 [[2025 Abujhmarh clash|Abujhmarh clash]], four units of the District Reserve Guard (DRG) killed CPI (Maoist) General Secretary Nambala Keshava Rao.

== Danteshwari Ladake ==
{{Infobox law enforcement agency
| agencyname = Danteshwari Ladake
| nativename = दंतेश्वरी लड़ाके
| formed = 2019
| country = India
| federal = No
| governingbody = [[Chhattisgarh Police]]
| parentagency = District Reserve Guard (DRG)
| unittype = Specialized Commando Unit
| employees = 97 (as of March 2024)
| headquarters = [[Dantewada]], [[Chhattisgarh]], India
| legaljuris = [[Chhattisgarh]]
| speciality1 = [[Counterinsurgency|Counter-insurgency]]
}}

'''Danteshwari Ladake''' (Danteshwari Fighters) is an all-women commando unit within the District Reserve Guard, established in 2019 to support anti-Maoist-Naxal operations. It is named after the [[Danteshwari Temple]] in [[Dantewada]] and the unit includes 97 members as of March 2024.<ref name=danteshwari>{{cite news |title=Bastar's Danteshwari Fighters: India's first all-women anti-Maoist unit |url=https://www.deccanherald.com/india/chhattisgarh/bastars-danteshwari-fighters-indias-first-all-women-anti-maoist-unit-2928226 |publisher=[[Deccan Herald]] |date=8 March 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Drolia |first1=Rashmi |title=Guns & Gulaab: Bastar's women commandos who kill, and also heal |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/guns-gulaab-bastars-women-commandos-who-kill-and-also-heal/articleshow/108310418.cms |work=[[The Times of India]] |date=8 March 2024}}</ref>

Apart from combat duties, Danteshwari Ladake commandos are trained in basic medical care and conduct health visits in remote villages. Danteshwari Ladake occasionally operate in civilian clothing to conduct surveillance, concealing weapons under traditional attire for discreet reconnaissance missions.<ref name=danteshwari/>

== Recruitment ==
The DRG recruits primarily from local tribal communities.<ref name=c/> The DRG recruits personnel at three levels such as assistant constables, [[constable]]s, and secret operatives. Assistant constables are often former [[Special Police Officers]] from the disbanded [[Salwa Judum]] and former [[Maoists in India|Maoists]]. Constables are formally recruited, while surrendered Maoists are enlisted as "gopniya sainiks" or secret operatives.<ref name=d/>

== Training ==
DRG personnel undergo training to prepare for counter-insurgency tasks. This includes advanced training at army camps outside the state and foundational jungle warfare training at the Greyhounds facility in [[Andhra Pradesh]].<ref name=B/>

The Kanker-based Counter Terrorism and Jungle Warfare College is responsible for training DRG personnel.<ref name=d>{{cite news |last1=Noronha |first1=Rahul |title=Chhattisgarh's Maoist fighting force |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/india-today-insight/story/chhattisgarh-s-maoist-fighting-force-1788801-2021-04-08 |publisher=[[India Today]] |date=9 April 2021}}</ref>

;Training Programs Include<ref name=c/>:
* A one-year course at the state police academy.
* A two-month specialized [[jungle warfare]] course in [[Kanker district|Kanker]].
* Instruction in [[guerrilla warfare]] tactics and the use of [[Modern Weaponry|modern weaponry]].

== Criticism ==
Concerns have been raised about the District Reserve Guard, including reports of misconduct by some personnel. The unit recruits personnel from tribal communities has led to questions regarding the training and professionalism of recruits. There have also been occasional tensions between DRG members and other police units.<ref name=c/> There have been allegations that DRG personnel are involved in looting and indiscriminate beatings in certain villages.<ref name=e/>

[[Soni Sori]], an [[Aam Aadmi Party]] leader, has stated that surrendered Maoists are joining the police due to limited job opportunities and criticized the formation of specialized units like the District Reserve Guard, suggesting it involves [[adivasi]]s (tribal) fighting against other adivasis.<ref name=e>{{cite news |last1=Kumar |first1=Raksha |title=Bastar police use adivasis to fight adivasis – unleashing violence in the villages |url=https://scroll.in/article/808037/bastar-police-uses-adivasis-to-fight-adivasis-unleashing-violence-in-the-villages |publisher=[[Scroll.in]] |date=24 May 2016}}</ref>

Tribal rights activists and civil society groups have raised concerns about alleged [[Extrajudicial punishment|extrajudicial]] actions by the District Reserve Guard Force of the [[Chhattisgarh Police]], likening the DRG to the banned [[Salwa Judum]].<ref>{{cite news |last1=Sharma |first1=Ashutosh |title=Chhattisgarh: No peace without justice |url=https://frontline.thehindu.com/politics/chhattisgarh-government-bjp-operation-prahar-maoist-killing-naxalite-adivasi/article68417263.ece |agency=[[The Hindu]] |publisher=[[Frontline (magazine)|Frontline]] |date=23 July 2024}}</ref>

== References ==
{{reflist}}

[[Category:Government of Chhattisgarh]]
[[Category:State law enforcement agencies of India]]
[[Category:2008 establishments in Chhattisgarh]]
[[Category:Government agencies established in 2000]]
[[Category:Organizations established in 2008]]
[[Category:Naxalite–Maoist insurgency]]

District Reserve Guard - Revision history

Rishank124 at 10:27, 6 May 2026